Principal's Update

Education week – DPS Open Day and Book Character Parade 

What a successful Education Week at Dundas PS! DPS staff were so pleased to see the numbers of parents, carers and visitors spending time during open classrooms and they commented on the joy and warmth that was clear yesterday. Looking at the number of parents and carers attending our Open Day yesterday, I think we will continue to plan to combine our Open Day and our Book Character Parade during Education Week.  

The Book Fair that was organised by Mrs Bohan was an amazing success and I think the parents who volunteered their time to assist Mrs Bohan.  

We were concerned that the weather would work against us for the community picnic and Book Character Parade and we were very relieved that they were able to go ahead on the Village Green as planned.  

It never ceases to amaze me the community spirit that is evident at Dundas PS events such as this. It is truly a special community indeed! 

 Congratulations Mrs Zalaf! 

We have some very exciting news to share! Yesterday, during the fun of the Book Character Parade, we learnt that the amazing Lynda Zalaf will be working elsewhere in the NSW DET until the end of January 2026. It is not surprising to me that Lynda’s expertise in explicit teaching and curriculum has been noticed by those within the NSW Dept of Education.  

Starting Monday, 25th August, Lynda Zalaf will be filling the role of the HSIE Key Learning Adviser with the Primary Curriculum Team. Her expertise and enthusiasm will undoubtedly make a significant impact in her new role, just as she has here at Dundas. 

As we gather to bid temporary farewell to Lynda Zalaf, we celebrate her remarkable 19 years of dedicated service to our school community. Lynda has been more than just a teacher; she has been a guiding light for many, inspiring students and colleagues alike with her passion for learning and commitment to excellence. 

Lynda, your presence will be truly missed, and it’s hard to imagine our school without your warmth and wisdom. Thank you for all the memories, the laughter, and the invaluable contributions you’ve made to our school community. We wish you all the best in this new chapter of your career. You are a cherished part of the Dundas family. 

 Welcome Sidra  

Last term we said farewell to Mr Tony Wai, our school psychologist. I would like to welcome Ms Sidra Hameed to our school community. Ms Hameed is a school psychologist and will be at Dundas Public School on Mondays and Fridays.  

NSW Department of Education employs highly skilled school counsellors and school psychologists who work directly with students to help them with issues related to learning, peer and family relationships, and managing emotions such as depression, anxiety, worry or isolation. 

They also work with teachers, families, school executive, and other professionals to create safe, healthy, and supportive learning environments that strengthen connections between home, school, and the community. 

The School Counselling Service provides: 

• short-term counselling to students individually or in groups who are experiencing trauma, crisis or unsafe situations 

• assessment of students with specific needs 

• collaboration with teachers and specialist staff 

• help to families in understanding and managing their children’s learning and mental health needs 

• liaising with external agencies and other mental health professionals to provide coordinated, wrap around support for individual students 

Sod turn photo event on Monday 1st August  

This week on Monday 1st August, State Member for Parramatta, Ms Donna Davis joined our student leaders Archie and Jessica, and me for a ‘sod turn’ event to commemorate the start of the new construction at Dundas Public School.  

 Disruption Notice- Calder Rd path  

The school has been notified that due to the construction of a temporary vehicular crossing at the south-west corner of our school, access to the pedestrian pathway on Calder Road may be not available for a 4-day period between Friday 8th - 23rd August. It is suggested that families walking from Rippon Ave, Station St, Anderson Ave, Crowgey St, Dudley St and other surrounding roads, enter the school grounds via the St Andrews gate during this period. 

 Check In Assessments 

Students in Years 3-6 will complete Check In Assessments over a 4-week period from Monday, 25th August to Friday, 19th September.   

The Check-in assessment is an annual online assessment for students in Years 3 to 9 in NSW Public Schools. All students complete a reading test and a numeracy test. Year 6 students also complete a writing task. 

The reading and numeracy tests are designed to take up to 60 minutes each. 

The Year 6 task is designed to take 40 minutes (includes 5 minutes planning at the start, 30 minutes writing and 5 minutes to check and edit work at the end). 

Allow students extra time if required. Both the reading and numeracy tests have approximately 50 items (including a small number of items for trial purposes). The Year 6 writing task is a single prompt marked against set criteria. 

The Check-in assessment supports the identification of students’ performance in literacy and numeracy and informs next steps in teaching and learning. 

Below are examples of a reading question and a numeracy question. 

 P&C Community Building Grant success 

A huge congratulations to the DPS P&C for being successful in applying to the 2025 Community Building Partnership Grant. All applications for funding are assessed on their meri through an extremely competitive process and it is very exciting to announce that the DPS P&C was successful in getting the full $50,000 grant which will be used to install a large shade shelter covering the Outdoor Reading Area (ORA) and a small shade structure at the DPS Parking Lot to help protect student bikes from the weather.  

An amazing result! 

 Afternoon pick-up and updating emergency contacts 

This is a friendly reminder that students are to arrive at school from 8:30am in the morning when supervision starts and picked up in the afternoon at 3pm. If you are arranging someone else to pick up your child at 3pm, please notify the school to let them know, either by email or a phone call, otherwise class teachers may be reluctant to let your child leave with someone the teachers don't know or recognise. The school needs to know the name of the person picking up your child. If the school has not met this person before, identification may be requested. 

If a student is not picked up at 3pm, staff bring the child over to the school office where they can be supervised. Office staff will try to contact the child's parent/carer to let them know where the student is and that they are safe. Often parents are not contactable, and staff then try to contact people listed as emergency contacts. People listed as emergency contacts are those identified during the enrolment process.  

We do understand that situations change, and those initial emergency contacts may not live locally anymore. We do encourage our parents/carers to update their child's emergency contacts when needed. The school needs a minimum of 2 emergency contacts. Parents and carers are welcome to contact the school to check the current emergency contacts and update them if needed. This can be done via email or by phone.   

Camp Australia- afternoon confusion 

It is now a daily occurrence where students come to the office not sure if they are supposed to be at OOSH that afternoon.  

We ask parents who use the Camp Australia service of an afternoon to PLEASE let their children know in the morning if they are to attend the OOSH service that day. 

We also ask that parents/carers notify Camp Australia if your child is NOT attending OOSH. Doing this simple task will remove Camp Australia from coming to the school office, worried that a child is missing.  

 Kindy Expo and Information Night 

We are counting down the days until our Kindy Expo and Information Night, which is being held on Wednesday, 20th August from 5:30pm-6:30pm. The Expo is being held in the school hall. 

All those who have enrolled and those who are planning on enrolling their child are welcome to attend.  

 Kindergarten enrolments for 2026 

DPS is now accepting Kindergarten enrolments for 2026. Every child is entitled to be enrolled at the government school that is designated for the intake area within which the child's home is situated and that the child is eligible to attend.  

Kindergarten 

• All children must be in compulsory schooling by their 6th birthday. 
• Children can start kindergarten at the beginning of the school year if they turn 5 on or before 31 July that year. 
• Students should start school at the beginning of the school year. 

If you live in our intake area and would like to apply to enrol at our school, start by submitting an online enrolment application. Online enrolment is currently only available for Australian or New Zealand citizens and permanent residents. 

If you are not able to apply online or you prefer not to, download the paper application to enrol (PDF 768.4KB) form. Please complete the form in English. A translated application to enrol may help you do this. 

Online enrolment can also be used for out-of-area enrolment. Please note that out-of-area enrolment procedures are subject to the department’s enrolment policy. 

Enrolment applications are finalised at the school. 

Book for a school tour 

School tours are offered twice a term in Terms 2 and 3 and one tour in Term 4.  Prospective parents must register for a tour to assist with planning. To register, please ring the school office on (02) 9638 2813. 

2025 school tour dates are: 

• Friday, 22nd August at 2pm. 
• Friday, 26th September at 2pm. 
• Friday, 14th November at 2pm. 

Our school can help with enrolment queries throughout the year. 

Virtual school tour 

There is a virtual school tour that you can see anytime, just by visiting the home page on our school website. 

A link to the virtual tour is below. 

Dundas Primary School 

Financial assistance 

We understand that financial hardship can impact families in various ways, and we want to assure you that if you are unable to pay for school contributions such as excursions, events, and camps, you may be eligible for assistance from the school.  

Our school is committed to ensuring that no student or family experiences discrimination or embarrassment due to their financial situation. We encourage you to reach out and discuss your circumstances openly. Please contact the school office to make an appointment with the principal Lee Shipley, who will work with you to find a suitable solution.  

Your child's education and well-being are our top priorities, and we are here to support you during challenging times. 

School events on our website 

This week, I have shown several of our parents how to locate the upcoming school events found on our website. When events are booked, we diligently share that information on our website to help our families plan ahead.  

It is very easy to find. Open the ‘Events’ tab on the home page.  

Once you select ‘Events’, you will see the following events. 

 P&C  

The next P&C meeting is next Tuesday, 12th August from 6-7pm.  

The meeting will be held in the staffroom and online.